Coastlines, by definition transitional environments, are naturally dynamic and resilient. But climate change, sea level rise and shifting species distributions are now causing rapid physical and ecological changes to the world’s coasts. Anticipating and addressing these changes requires understanding the physical, chemical and biological processes that interact at the land-sea boundary. This two-course, upper-level science sequence aims to prepare and engage students in meeting these challenges. In 2014-15, the sequence comprises of Marine Geology and Coastal & Marine Ecology, offered in Fall 2014 and Spring 2015, respectively. In 2017, Carbonate Environments and Coastal & Marine Ecology are taught concurrently. The cluster includes multiple field research opportunities: an investigation of temperate coastal environments, including barrier islands, estuaries and saltmarshes of the Mid-Atlantic US coast, from New Jersey to North Carolina; tours and conversation with Smithsonian staff at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (Maryland); week-long travel to Belize to study coral reefs, mangroves and rainforests on a tropical coast.
Coasts in Transition Courses:
Geology 314: Marine Geology (fall 2014)
Taught by Don Barber, this course is an introduction to oceanography, coastal processes, and the geomorphology of temperate and tropical shorelines. Includes an overview of the many parameters, including sea level change, that shape coastal environments. Meets twice weekly for a combination of lecture, discussion and hands-on exercises, including a mandatory multi-day field trip to investigate developed and pristine sections of the Mid-Atlantic US coast.
Geology 350: Carbonate Environments (spring 2017, spring 2020)
An introduction to oceanography, coastal processes, and the geomorphology of temperate and tropical shorelines, this course was taught by Pedro Marenco. Includes an overview of the many parameters, including sea level change, that shape coastal environments. Meets twice weekly for a combination of lecture, discussion and hands-on exercises, including a mandatory multi-day field trip to investigate developed and pristine sections of the Mid-Atlantic US coast.
Biology 323: Coastal and Marine Ecology (spring 2015, spring 2017, spring 2020)
An interdisciplinary course, taught by Tom Mozdzer, explores the ecological, biogeochemical, and physical aspects of coastal and marine ecosystems. We will compare intertidal habitats in both temperate and tropical environments, with a specific emphasis on global change impacts on coastal systems (e.g. sea level rise, warming, and species shifts). In 2015 the course will have a mandatory field trip to a tropical marine field station and an overnight field trip to a temperate field station in the mid-Atlantic.
